Ole Miss Athletics got $44.6 million richer on Thursday as SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced 2018-19 revenue distribution for all member schools.
The SEC distributed a total of $624.2 million from the conference office and $26.8 million for teams that participated in football bowl games in the 2018-19 season. Average school distribution increased from $43.1 million in 2017-18.
“The revenue distributed through the Southeastern Conference enables our 14 member universities to provide unparalleled support to their student-athletes through superior instruction, training, equipment, academic counseling, medical care, mental health and wellness support and life-skills development,” Sankey said in a statement. “It is this sustained conference-wide commitment to the student-athlete experience that makes this conference sound and its impact so meaningful.”
Distribution from the conference is comprised of agreements with ESPN and SEC Network, bowl games, the SEC Championship, the College Football Playoff and SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament along with other surplus supplemental distribution.
“In addition to supporting the overall student-athlete experience, revenues generated through SEC athletics can contribute in significant ways to the academic missions of the Conference’s 14 universities,” Sankey said. “These distributions provide each university the opportunity to make a positive impact on their respective campuses in ways unique to each institution. Past uses of this revenue on our campuses have included participation in the construction and renovation of academic facilities, support of academic scholarship opportunities, funding of academic programs and direct transfers of funds to support academic budgets.”
